It appears a cat scan photo is making the rounds again on social media. Although it’s upsetting, many people don’t know these photos have been floating around on various websites, including Facebook and Tumblr, where they’re basically considered a joke.

Cat Scan – click on the image to see it larger if you wish.

Pets Advisor Buzz is the latest to report cat scanning in a March 18 report, entitled: Someone Keeps Photocopying This Cat on a College Campus. This latest report comes from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where it was reported in the school newspaper Badger Herald that someone has been using a photocopy machine at Steenbock Memorial Library to make images of a cat. Paper staff member Amy Sleep says she’s seen several of these copies now, and tweeted

“Apparently someone keeps bringing their cat to the library to photocopy it. I’m serious.”

The Steenbock Memorial Library made light of the situation warning

“Repeat offender! If you see that cat at Steenbock, let us know. He is breaking our photocopy selfie policy.”

While this may be considered a joke by many, in reality it’s a serious issue that could cause damage to the cat. Not only would this be a terrifying experience for the cat, it may also cause damage to the retina, since a cat has much more sensitive eyes than a person.

There tends to be a growing trend these days to mock cats on social media. A few years back we had ‘in-bread‘ photos being posted. In 2014 we’re dealing with the more serious issue of blatant abuse, such as events promoting cruelty to cats. Cat-fisting and cat-cooking pages have sprung up on Facebook, and it’s been reminiscent of a scavenger hunt in finding them and convincing Facebook to take them down.

These events tend to be produced with the sole purpose of upsetting cat advocates, as its a very rare occurrence to see a dog being abused on what social media considers “satire.” I imagine cat haters are sitting back laughing as we bounce from one case to the next in order to protect the cats we feel are being abused.

Cat Scan

The case of cat photocopying really is a danger to cats, because the can be temporarily or permanently blinded. Do the fools who post these photos have a clue of the health dangers involved? It leads me to wonder whether those who post the photocopying photos are simply trying to get a laugh out of their friends, or whether these pranks are being carried out as a form of animal cruelty.

Readers, do you think this is a joke to gain attention on social media, or should this be considered animal cruelty? Your comments are welcome.
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Cat scan on Tumblr